Effect of temperature on the formation of β-silicon carbide by hot isostatic pressing the pyrolyzed phenol resin–silicon composite

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of temperature on the formation of β-SiC below the melting point of silicon; and to develop a new technique that might be implied to convert the used polymeric materials to produce silicon carbide and to minimize the environmental problems caused by the gases formed during combustion of used polymeric products. In the first step, preforms were produced by pyrolysing phenolic resin and silicon powders at 850 °C, then HIPed at 1300–1400 °C, in second step. XRD peaks of β-SiC were observed at 1300 °C; and then these peaks were heightened with increasing the temperature. SEM photographs showed the formation of whisker and crystals of β-SiC in pores and matrix of the composite HIPed at 1400 °C. The increase in apparent density and Vickers micro-hardness of the composites; and the results of EDS and XPS analyses suggested that the formation of β-SiC was enhanced at higher temperatures.